There's no such thing as a stupid question, but they're the easiest to answer.
JoinTour
Login
 
Tag Cloud
audio avg avg 8 backup bios boot browser bsod computer cpu crash css dell desktop driver drivers dvd email error excel explorer firefox firefox 3 freeze game graphics hard drive hardware hijackthis hjt install internet internet explorer itunes javascript keyboard lan laptop malware missing monitor msn network networking openoffice outlook outlook 2003 outlook express php popups problem router screen seo slow sound sp3 spyware trojan usb video virus vista vundo windows windows vista windows xp winxp wireless word
Do It Yourself Projects
Search
Search in:
 
Advanced Search
Tech Support Guy Forums > General Technology > Do It Yourself Projects >
Need help with soldering a dc power jack...


HELLO AND WELCOME! Before you can post your question, you'll have to register -- it's completely free! Click here to join today! We highly recommend that you print a copy of our Guide for New Members. Enjoy!

 
Thread Tools
Bercana's Avatar
Computer Specs
Junior Member with 7 posts.
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Experience: Intermediate
03-May-2008, 11:53 PM #1
Unhappy Need help with soldering a dc power jack...
Okay, I had to replace my dc power jack on my laptop a couple months ago but I rushed into it and apparently I did a loose soldering job and I need to re-do it. This time I did research and talked to a lot of people. I used the right materilas this time around to remove the solder (the copper wick and syringe with a release switch) Everything went great until I accidently pulled the plating off of the main board around the hole for the pin on the power jack. Now there is no metal pad on the board surrounding that pin. I'm assuming if I simply solder it it will not work anyways. But I did try it and the solder runs straight down the hole and doesn't attach the pin at all. Is there anyway to repair or replace the contact to the board? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
leroys1000's Avatar
Senior Member with 764 posts.
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Boise,Idaho
Experience: Intermediate
04-May-2008, 12:04 AM #2
There shuld be some of the trace left on the board where it came off.
You will need to carefully scrape the insulating coating off it
until the copper shows.
Then solder a short copper wire from where you scaped the trace
to the pin.
Make sure you are using rosin core solder as it clears the oxidation
from the solder point for a better bond.
Bercana's Avatar
Computer Specs
Junior Member with 7 posts.
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Experience: Intermediate
04-May-2008, 12:48 AM #3
The hole for the pin is a small narrow oval (the actual pin is flat) and it's hard to see it clearly. Is there an easy way to tell if I have scraped enough to get to the copper? I'm not sure what you mean by insulation also. Is that the green area on the board? If I can solder the copper wire from the copper in the board to the pin then can't I just solder the pin to in the hole with the copper in the board exposed?

I have also been using the resin core solder. I would send some pictures but I don't have the laptop taken apart right now. Thank you for your help.
leroys1000's Avatar
Senior Member with 764 posts.
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Boise,Idaho
Experience: Intermediate
04-May-2008, 01:29 AM #4
Yes,the insulatin is the coating on the board.
It insulates the traces.
You need clean copper to solder to.
If the end of the broken trace is close enigh to the pin,
you can probably bridge the connection with solder,
but a peice of wire has less of a chance of breaking later.
Bercana's Avatar
Computer Specs
Junior Member with 7 posts.
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Experience: Intermediate
04-May-2008, 03:21 AM #5
Is there a good tool I could use to scrape away at the insulation? Do you think it would be better to solder the copper wire at the edge where the pin will be or directly on the board a little away from the actual pin?
leroys1000's Avatar
Senior Member with 764 posts.
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Boise,Idaho
Experience: Intermediate
04-May-2008, 03:50 AM #6
Carefully scaping it with a small pocket knife should work.
The wire actually needs to be soldered at the pin and the board.
JohnWill's Avatar
Computer Specs
Moderator with 75,107 posts.
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: South Eastern PA, USA
Experience: Advanced age & experience
04-May-2008, 09:26 AM #7
You want to solder it on a solid part of the trace and then connect the wire to the pin. Don't try to solder it on the very edge, scrape the insulation off a flat surface big enough to get a good solder joint.

If you're lifting the traces, you're using an iron with too much heat.
__________________
Microsoft MVP - User Desktop Experience

If you think experts are expensive, wait until you see what amateurs cost you!

Help me out with some details here, I'm brilliant, not clairvoyant!
Frank4d's Avatar
Distinguished Member with 3,943 posts.
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: So. Calif.
Experience: Since MS-Dos 3.0
04-May-2008, 09:09 PM #8
A photo would be helpful to see what you are faced with fixing.
Bercana's Avatar
Computer Specs
Junior Member with 7 posts.
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Experience: Intermediate
05-May-2008, 02:05 AM #9
I have another question. The dc power jack has a total of six pins to solder. Four of the six appear to connect to the same trace. The dark green area forms a "u" shape which seems to connect the four pins. Can I scrape away insulation in one spot to solder all four pins? Like if the copper wire starts thick and seperates into four wires.
Bercana's Avatar
Computer Specs
Junior Member with 7 posts.
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Experience: Intermediate
05-May-2008, 02:05 AM #10
I will try to get a good picture of the situation.
K7M's Avatar
K7M K7M is offline K7M has a Profile Picture
Computer Specs
Senior Member with 243 posts.
 
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: MA
Experience: Intermediate
05-May-2008, 08:24 AM #11
this site has a pretty good guide on how to replace the jack.
www.fixmyjack.com
JohnWill's Avatar
Computer Specs
Moderator with 75,107 posts.
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: South Eastern PA, USA
Experience: Advanced age & experience
05-May-2008, 08:48 AM #12
The four that are the same are the shell that is basically used for support, they're not working electrical connections.
Bercana's Avatar
Computer Specs
Junior Member with 7 posts.
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Experience: Intermediate
05-May-2008, 02:49 PM #13
Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnWill View Post
The four that are the same are the shell that is basically used for support, they're not working electrical connections.
So can I simply solder the four pins as usual just for support as you say and then solder the remaining two pins with the copper wire?
JohnWill's Avatar
Computer Specs
Moderator with 75,107 posts.
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: South Eastern PA, USA
Experience: Advanced age & experience
05-May-2008, 03:12 PM #14
Well, the four pins that are common should all be secured to the board, they're primarily for structural support. I'm assuming this is the standard two conductor jack with a pin and sleeve connector, right?
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off

You Are Using:
Server ID
Advertisements do not imply our endorsement of that product or service.
All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:45 PM.
Copyright © 1996 - 2008 TechGuy, Inc. All rights reserved.
Powered by vBulletin, Copyright © 2000 - 2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.1.0
Powered by Cermak Technologies, Inc.